JPH1194636A - Weighing machine with adipometer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use an adipometer also as a weighing machine and to selectively measure either body weight or body fat singly or make simultaneous measurement of body fat in association with the measurement of body weight. SOLUTION: This weighing machine comprises a weighing machine main body 1 having a body weight measuring part built in and an adipometer 2 removably attached to the weighing machine main body 1. The adipometer 2 consists of a casing having a display window 10 with a display part 25 in its center, a variety of setting switches 11, and a grip part 14 having pairs of electrodes 16-19 placed on both sides, and includes an impedance measuring circuit 21 for measuring intracorporal impedance according to microcurrents made to flow in both of the electrode pairs 16-19 when a person to be measured grips the grip part 14 with both hands, an infrared communicating part 25 taking in data about measurements taken with the weighing machine main body 1, and a CPU 22. The CPU 22 measures a body fat value according to the intracorporal impedance and a body weight value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a scale with a body fat scale.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of a flat-type home weighing scale in which a display unit for displaying a weight value is provided on a part of a weighing platform, a subject who is obese is placed on the weighing scale to measure. When trying to see the value, the figure is disturbed, making it difficult to see the display on its own. Also, a person with myopia is difficult to see because the display is also distant similarly.

[0003] On the other hand, in a large scale, the display section is arranged on a post standing on the top of the table, so that the subject can easily see it regardless of the body shape or visual acuity. But,
This type of scale is large and suitable for public baths and medical insurance institutions, but too large for general households.
Take large storage space. In addition, particularly when measuring in a public place, particularly in a woman or the like, there is a case where it is desired to keep the weight secret from others because of shame, but it is easy for other people to easily see the weight.

[0004] As a body weighing instrument related to a weight scale, there is a body fat meter using a weak electric current. This body fat meter measures the body impedance due to the weak current flowing between both hands or both feet of the subject, and changes in the body impedance according to the water content and fat content of the subject,
The body fat is to be measured.

When measuring body fat by a weak current,
By giving various coefficients to the body impedance, it is possible to convert to an accurate body fat value. The coefficients include weight, height, age, gender, limb length, and the like. Of these coefficients, especially in the case of an adult, body weight is the largest factor of variation, and is significantly involved in increasing or decreasing body fat.

[0006] Incidentally, the weight scale and the body fat scale are related as described above, but they are not necessarily inseparable.
There are two types, one in conjunction with the scale and the one for single use.

[0007] As the former body fat meter attached to a weight scale, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 5-49050 for measuring body fat between both feet, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-1995 for measuring body fat between both hands and feet.
No. 12635 is disclosed.

The latter body fat meter is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-5 / 1995.
No. 1242, as shown in a portable type, an electrode pair is arranged on a grip portion provided on both sides of a display portion,
In some cases, a body fat value is converted and displayed based on the obtained body impedance and a separately input weight value.

[0009] However, such a conventional body fat meter has the following technical problems.

[0010]

That is, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-49050 is a flat type and compact, but the display is similar to that of the flat type weight scale described above. Hard to see. In addition, the measurement site of the impedance in the body is the foot, and accurate measurement cannot be performed unless the foot is placed on an accurate position, and furthermore, measurement can be performed only in a barefoot state.

The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-12635 is not suitable for a household scale because it has a display section on a post and is large and complicated in function. In addition, especially when the grip is held, the weight is applied to the grip, so that the weighing is incomplete, and the measurement of the weight and the measurement of body fat between both hands must be performed separately.

Further, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-51242, since the body fat scale is used alone, the input operation of the weight value is troublesome, and the weight value fluctuates particularly,
Since the memory of the subject is not always correct, it is difficult to obtain an accurate body fat value.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to be used as a normal, compact, flat-type body fat scale which is also used as a home-use weight scale, and is used for measuring body weight and body fat independently. And a body scale with a body fat meter, which can selectively perform the simultaneous measurement of body fat linked to the body weight measurement.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a flat weighing scale main body having a built-in weight measuring unit for measuring a weight value, and a detachably mounted main body of the weighing scale main body. A body fat scale with a body fat meter, wherein the body fat meter has a display portion and various setting switches arranged in the center, and a grip portion in which a pair of electrodes are arranged on both sides. Measuring means for measuring the impedance in the body required by the subject to be grasped by both hands in the casing, and wireless communication taking in the weight value of the weight measuring section, inside the casing; Means for calculating the body fat value of the subject based on the body impedance and the weight value, and displaying the obtained body fat value on the display unit. According to the weight scale with a body fat meter configured in this manner, usually,
It can be used as a flat-shaped weighing scale. The body fat can be measured if the subject separates the weighing scale from the weighing scale and holds the grips on both sides of the casing with both hands. At this time, if the subject is on the scale, the weight value is
It is taken into the body fat meter via wireless communication means and can be used as data for conversion into body fat, and only the weight value can be displayed by switching. Also,
When used alone as a body fat meter, if a weight value is input, body fat can be measured only by a gripping operation. In the weight scale of the present invention, when the display unit is not in use of the body fat scale,
A switching means for displaying only the weight value and displaying either the weight value or the body fat value when the body fat meter is used can be provided. According to this configuration, usually, it can be used alone as a weight scale and can measure body fat as needed. Further, the wireless communication means includes:
Infrared or weak radio waves can be used. Further, the weight scale main body can be provided with a display unit for displaying only the weight, and according to this configuration, the body fat scale can be detached and used alone as a weight scale even when carried to any one. .

[0015]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a weight scale with a body fat meter according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a body scale with a body fat meter, and FIG. 2 shows the internal circuit thereof.

The weighing scale shown in these figures is composed of a flat type weighing scale main body 1 and a body fat scale 2 detachably attached to the main body 1. The weighing scale main body 1 includes a housing 3 formed in a thin square shape,
An installation portion 1a formed one step lower is provided on the front side, and the body fat meter 2 is mounted on the installation portion 1a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the internal circuit of the weighing scale main body 1 was measured by a load cell type weight measuring section 4 connected to the upper surface of the flat housing 3 as a weighing platform and the measuring section 4. CPU5 which takes in the measured value and calculates the weight value
An infrared communication unit 7 for performing bidirectional communication with the body fat meter 2 through an infrared communication window 6 formed in the center of the installation unit 1a; and a power supply provided at the rear end of the housing 3. A switch 8.

The power source of the weighing scale main body 1 may include a built-in battery, a system connected to a commercial power source, or a rechargeable battery type. Also,
If you enter your weight value or your weight value does not change for a certain period of time,
It is desirable to add an auto power off function for automatically turning off the power.

The body fat scale 2 has a width and a thickness that can be grasped by a hand, and has an elongated casing 9 whose length is the same as the width of the weight scale main body 1 and a display opened at the center of the casing 9. A window 10 and a plurality of various setting switches 11 and a power switch 12 arranged in a row below the display window 10 are provided.

On both sides of the casing 9, there are gripping portions 14 which can be gripped by the left and right hands of the measurer. The gripping portions 14 are provided with strip-shaped electrodes 16, 17, 18, 19 in pairs. It has an external appearance provided in a circling state.

Each setting switch 11 is used to interactively set an initial setting value according to a menu displayed on the display window 10.
For example, the date, the code number of the subject, the height, the age, the gender-specific data, the weight value, and the like are input.

The electrodes 16 to 19 are made of a metal such as copper, aluminum or stainless steel, a conductive paint, a carbon-containing conductive plastic, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1 (b), when the body fat scale 2 is attached to the installation section 1a, the appearance is the same as that of a normal household flat type weighing scale.
A changeover switch (not shown) provided in the display window 10
Only the measured weight value is displayed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), the body fat scale 2 is removed from the installation section 1a, and the subject is put on the weight scale body 1 and the grip sections 14 on both sides are simultaneously held with the left and right hands. By grasping and measuring, it can be used as both a body fat scale and a weight scale. In each case, the numerical value is displayed only in front of the subject, so that the user's own data can be easily confirmed regardless of the body shape and visual acuity, and the data can be read without being seen by others.

When measuring body fat alone without placing it on the body 1 of the scale, enter the code number of the subject or, for the first measurement, first enter various data. By holding the grips 14 on both sides, body fat is displayed.

The power source of the body fat scale 2 is a battery or a rechargeable battery which is connected to a power supply terminal of the scale scale body 1 and is supplied with power while being mounted on the scale scale body 1. A method can be adopted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the internal circuit of the body fat meter 2 includes an electrode section 20 having electrodes 16 to 19, an impedance measuring circuit 21, and an impedance measuring circuit 21.
A CPU 22 for calculating a body fat value by taking a measurement value while giving a control signal to the display unit; a display unit 23 such as a liquid crystal for displaying the calculation result on the display window 10; an input unit including the various setting switches 11; A storage unit 24 for storing personal data, calibration values of body weight and body fat for each personal data, date and time, and the like as a series of related data, and the weighing scale main body 1
Infrared communication unit 2 for transmitting and receiving to and from the communication unit 7
5 is provided.

The impedance measuring circuit 21 includes a CPU 2
2 is applied to the left and right outer electrodes 16 and 19 of the electrode section 20 via the sine wave generation circuit 26 and the constant current circuit 27 in response to the control signal from the control section 2. Pour between both hands of the subject.

Further, a weak current flowing to the subject is detected from the inner electrodes 17 and 18, and the operation amplifier 28 of the impedance measuring circuit 21, the band-pass filter 29,
The measurement data is supplied to the CPU 22 via the detection circuit 30 and the A / D converter 31.

The CPU 22 receives the measured data, calculates a body fat value based on an arithmetic expression based on a built-in program, displays the result on the display unit 23, and stores the corresponding personal data in the storage unit 24. The value is stored in the address together with the date data as an updated value.

Here, the calculation formula of the body fat value includes the following formula based on the well-known report of Lukasky et al.

Bone + muscle mass = 0.4936 × height 2 / resistance (internal impedance) + 0.3332 × body weight + 6.4
93 fat (%) = (1− (bone + muscle mass) / body weight) · 100 Further, as an equation to be obtained from the body density, there is the following equation based on a report by Brosek et al.

Body density = 1.154−0.0841 × body weight × resistance (internal impedance) / height 2 fat (%) = (4.95 / body density−4.5) · 100 There are various methods such as changing the coefficient and introducing a correction coefficient depending on the length of the limb. However, all of them are known, and some parts rely on coefficients unique to each company.

Furthermore, in addition to the above, if the body impedance can be measured, in addition to the body fat value, the lean mass, the water content, the basal metabolism, etc. can be calculated. Of course can be calculated.

Further, according to the software used, a comparison value between the previous data and the current data of the subject, and an increase or decrease rate of a fat value or a weight value can be displayed.

When the body fat scale 2 is linked to the weight scale main body 1, the CPU 22
Calculates the body fat value by taking in the body weight value and substituting it into the above-mentioned arithmetic expression together with the body impedance. When not linked, the body fat value is calculated by inputting the weight value or using the previous measurement data.

Next, a description will be given of a measurement procedure and a use form in the above configuration. First, the power switches 8 and 12 of the body scale 1 and the body fat scale 2 are both turned on. The setting switch 11 of the body fat meter 2 is operated to input a set value. In addition, when the initial setting of the subject is performed in advance, if only the code number of the subject is input, the initial setting is completed for both the weight scale main body 1 and the body fat meter,
The system is activated, and the weight display on the display unit 23 becomes 0, so that the electrodes 16 to 19 are gripped with both hands and put on the weighing scale main body 1.

FIG. 3 (a) shows the posture at the time of measurement. In this case, even when only the weight is measured, the display unit 23 can be seen at hand, regardless of the body shape or visual acuity. It is easy to see. Further, since the display unit 23 is at hand, confidentiality of the measured value can be ensured.

After the measurement is completed, the weight value and the body fat value are displayed on the display unit 23. At this time, any desired value may be switched and displayed in the switching mode, or may be displayed in parallel.

After use, the body fat scale 2 is fixed to the installation section 1a again, and then each power switch is turned off. When the auto power-off function is added, each power supply is automatically turned off when there is no input or data change for a certain period of time, or after a certain period of time has elapsed after the weight value becomes zero.

When there is no signal from the body scale 1, for example, when the power is turned off or when the body fat scale 2 is used independently as shown in FIG. And the measurement of only the body fat becomes possible.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), when the body fat scale 2 is used in a state where the body fat scale 2 is installed in the installation section 1a, the display mode is a weight measurement mode, and the display mode is the same as a normal flat type weight scale. Weight measurement becomes possible.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, the same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be made using the new reference numerals only for the newly added parts.

The function of the body fat meter 2 in the figure is the same as described above. On the other hand, a display window 30 is formed at a position in front of the foot rest position on the upper surface of the housing 3 of the weighing scale main body 1,
The CPU 5 displays the measured weight value on the display unit 31 facing the display window 30 and transmits the same weight value to the body fat meter 2 through the infrared communication unit 7.

In the case of the present embodiment, the weight display function is duplicated between the body fat scale 2 side and the weight scale main body 1, but the body fat scale 2 is portable and can be removed. It can be used as a weighing scale alone as an auxiliary function when it is taken away, so that it is suitable for preventing practical problems.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the infrared communication means is used as the wireless communication means.

[0047]

According to the weight scale with body fat scale according to the present invention, it can be usually used as a weight scale in the form of a compact flat type, and the subject disconnects the body fat scale from the weight scale,
Body fat can be measured by holding the grip on both sides of the casing with both hands.

At this time, if the subject is on the scale, the weight value is taken into the body fat scale via the wireless communication means and can be used as data for conversion into body fat.
An accurate body fat value is obtained.

Further, since the data can be viewed at hand, it is easy to confirm the weight and body fat regardless of the body shape and visual acuity, and the confidentiality is improved.

Furthermore, since the body fat meter can be used independently as a portable device, the usability according to the purpose and purpose is increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 (a) and 1 (b) are perspective views of a body fat meter according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a body fat meter with the body fat meter removed and attached.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal circuit of the body scale with a body fat meter;

FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c) are explanatory views showing a usage pattern of a body scale with a body fat meter.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of the main body of the weight scale.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Weight scale main body 1a Installation part 2 Body fat meter 4 Weight measurement part 6,25 Wireless communication means (infrared communication part) 9 Casing 11 Setting switch 14 Grip part 16-19 Electrode pair 21 Measurement means (internal impedance measurement circuit) 22 Calculation means (CPU) 31 Display unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A weight scale with a body fat scale, comprising: a flat-shaped weight scale main body having a built-in weight measurement unit for measuring a weight value; and a body fat scale detachably attached to the weight scale main body. The body fat meter has a casing structure in which a display unit and various setting switches are arranged at the center, and a grip unit having a pair of electrodes arranged on both sides is provided. Measuring means for measuring the impedance in the body obtained by gripping the gripping portion with both hands; wireless communication means for taking in the weight value of the weight measuring section; and Calculating means for calculating a body fat value of the subject and displaying the obtained body fat value on the display unit. 2. The display unit displays only a weight value when the body fat meter is not used, and switches to display either a weight value or a body fat value when the body fat meter is used. 2. The scale according to claim 1, further comprising means. 3. The weight scale with a body fat meter according to claim 1, wherein said wireless communication means is infrared rays. 4. The weight scale with a body fat meter according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication means is a weak radio wave. 5. The weight scale with a body fat meter according to claim 1, wherein the weight scale body is provided with a display unit for displaying only a weight value.